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Next to the driveway of my childhood friend’s house lived one of the kindest gray haired ladies in our small Michigan town. On a delightful summer morning her large picture window overlooking that gravel depository became a source of inspiration. I blurted my 10-year old cognitive flash to my friend, “Look how close I can pitch this stone to Miss Epler’s window!” And …

Little people blow me away. They don’t know what an “AHA” moment is because “magic” seems to accompany them often and they have the presence of mind to celebrate these wonders: After a hard, spring rain a sidewalk strewn with earthworms; fluttering “helicopters” from the maple trees; an overflowing Easter basket; her first gold finch sighting; his first landed fish. …

Few things, maybe nothing, is more valuable to give up than a grudge. More typically thought to be a gift to the person who violated one’s trust or virtue, to give up a grudge is much more a gift to oneself. Even better, each person is entirely in control of whether or not she gifts herself by forgiving. First, let’s be clear …

A person saying that she or he believes in something is frequently making a statement of conviction. “I, too, have seen objects fall and I believe in gravity.” Thanks to Newton, there is little controversy about believing that. There is another aspect of belief that is conjecture. As in, “I believe Melville made that reference in another book, not just …

To all those who do not have a deep well of camp songs to draw from, I’m sorry. For the rest of us, sing along with voice at full: I’ve got joy, joy, joy, joy deep in my heart, YES, deep in my heart, LORD, deep in my heart… To all those who do have this song in their well, …

Which habit is more like you? Driving down the highway and self-talk focuses on the many examples of bad driving that you observe. Same highway and your radio/phone inform you about the unusual, most often negative, events of the day. Whichever is your information modality – reading the news or listening to it – at home, it’s dominated by the …

In Mendelssohn’s Oratorio Elijah, “Be not afraid” is an exciting, inspiring piece. As advice, however, it has its problems. To most, it makes little sense to freeze when an elevator door opens. Elevators are the world’s safest means of transportation! On the other hand, it makes a great deal of sense to flee when the tsunami alerts have been posted …

The CEO was exasperated. The wife was fuming. The teenager felt betrayed. Although involved in different situations, each was responding to the same conundrum: A conclusion that was thought to be a decision but turned out to be a surprise ending. The CEO had carefully arranged a meeting with his employee representatives to hear their concerns and gain their trust. …

Ignorance is bliss! Things that have “slapped me ‘side a my head” because, in spite of knowing better, I have acted in a contrary way: Establish habits that are positive and constructive. It was my habit to do a cardio workout followed the next day by strength work. Travel inevitably, throws me out of this in every way beneficial loop. …

I don’t like it said this way but I am part of the self-improvement epidemic that my generation has foisted on our culture. No, “I am part of” doesn’t convey the reality. My whole professional life has been centered on supporting the quest for improvement of person. Whether it’s been youngsters at residential camp, elementary students or retirees, I have …

He loved his innovation and knew it would make office workers more productive. Much more productive! His exciting idea had become a start-up and the first feedback from friends and acquaintances provided feedback for improvement and, more importantly, feedback validating his excitement. He wasn’t much of a salesman but he found a partner who was and who saw the potential of the office product …

Parable of the Tribes leads beyond guilt – no gain in punishing ourselves with guilt over misshapen past. If blame must be fixed, then the only alternative to guilt is hostility; the commonness of our problems doesn’t assure cooperation. Nonetheless, promoting our shared humanity increases our capacity to act for the common good. The world’s complexity has obscured our view of things …

He loved his innovation and knew it would make office workers more productive. Much more productive! His exciting idea had become a start-up and the first feedback from friends and acquaintances provided feedback for improvement and, more importantly, feedback validating his excitement. He wasn’t much of a salesman but he found a partner who was and who saw the potential …

He loved his innovation and knew it would make office workers more productive. Much more productive! His exciting idea had become a start-up and the first feedback from friends and acquaintances provided feedback for improvement and, more importantly, feedback validating his excitement. He wasn’t much of a salesman but he found a partner who was and who saw the potential …

There does not appear to be an end to sources for advice. After I cleaned up from mowing the lawn the other day, a man knocked on my door with advice on how to rid my lawn of moles. After the sermon on beginning transformation from where the person is, the explosions in Boston froze my thoughts on where I want the …